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Stars try to avoid three-game skid at Phoenix

Nov 9, 2006 - 2:21 PM Dallas (11-4-0) at Phoenix (4-10-0) 9:00 pm EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The ability to take an early lead has been a key factor in the Dallas Stars' success this season.

Dallas hopes to end its first losing streak of the campaign at two games and keep pace with the top teams in the Pacific Division with Thursday's meeting against the struggling Phoenix Coyotes.

The league leader in fewest goals allowed (29), the Stars have won all seven games in which they have scored first. Dallas is tied with division rivals Anaheim and San Jose for most wins in the Western Conference (11), but trails the first-place Ducks by four points.

After opening their four-game road trip with a win at Edmonton, the Stars suffered defeats on back-to-back nights against Vancouver and Calgary. Antti Miettinen scored his fourth goal of the campaign in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Flames.

The Stars hope they can score at will against the Coyotes, who are last in goals allowed (63), 14th in the West in tallies (36) and is tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for fewest points in the conference (8).

Shane Doan scored twice and Ladislav Nagy collected three assists for Phoenix, which matched a season-high in tallies with Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The Coyotes scored five consecutive goals to overcome a two-goal deficit.

Mike Smith made 22 saves and Mike Modano scored his fourth goal of the campaign for Dallas in a 4-0 victory over Phoenix on October 21.